Articles by Jam Band

Film Review

Grateful Dead: Meet-Up at the Movies 2026 - 6/17/91 at Giants Stadium

by Doug Collette
August 29, 2026

Grateful Dead Meet-Up at the Movies 2026: 6/17/91 at Giants Stadium Majestic 10, Williston, VT August 20, 2026 Rhino Records/Trafalgar Releasing In the fifteen years since its inception in 2011, the annual Grateful Dead community event dubbed 'Meetup at the Movies' has included more than one repeat of content. Not surprisingly, The Grateful Dead Movie (Rhino, 2004) has been screened more than once--after all, the film documents an inflection point in the iconic band's ...

The Blue Note Portal

Fillmore Dreams, Part 3

by Blue Note Portal
August 9, 2026

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 Duane Allman went to bed at four in the morning and slept until three in the afternoon. Xample had been awake since seven and after breakfast had walked east on 5th Street in the cold March morning and felt the city around him like a living thing. By afternoon, the band was stirring and hungry for something that tasted like home. The subway ride uptown was ...

Groove Orbit

How John Coltrane Changed Rock Music: The Grateful Dead

by Kyle Simpler
June 24, 2026

The Grateful Dead, probably more than any other rock band that emerged from the 1960s, tapped into the full scope of American musical tradition. From their earliest days, they were an eclectic rock band, blending elements of blues, r&b, country, bluegrass, and jazz. But rather than trying to replicate particular genres exactly, the band's goal was to allow their music to amalgamate these influences in a natural and unpretentious manner. The Dead's broad musical foundation, although something of ...

Play This!

T. Lavitz: No Time Flat

by Mike Jacobs
June 17, 2026

Though technically the name of the group and the album, School of the Arts (Magnatude, 2007) is a T. Lavitz's project, by any other name. It stands unique in the late keyboardist's catalog for it's enlisting of Chick Corea Elektric Band cohorts Dave Weckl, Frank Gambale and John Patitucci, in combination with Lavitz's Dixie Dregs bandmates, Steve Morse and Jerry Goodman. And, as the burning “No Time Flat" shows, the resulting sonic marriage feels akin to what might be termed ...

Radio & Podcasts

End of Month Keyboard Special - Music from Amina Figarova, Patrice Rushen, Soulive, and Others

by David W. Daniels
March 3, 2026

Keyboard special for the last Thursday in February 2026. Additional keyboard musicians include Big John Patton, Kenny Barron, Dena DeRose, Michael Wolff, and more.Playlist Amina Figarova “Explorations" from Road To The Sun (AmFi) 00:00 Nina Simone “Backlash Blues" from Live & Kickin' In Europe & The Carribean Vol. 1 (Jungle) 7:48 Big John Patton “Let 'em Roll" from Let 'em Roll (Blue Note) 10:54 Kenny Barron “Two Areas" from Peruvian Blue (Muse) 17:38 Les McCann “Roberta" from Much ...

Radio & Podcasts

Classic Jazz From Vinyl, including Herbie Hancock and Dinah Washington, and new music from Betty Bryant and Soulive

by David W. Daniels
February 10, 2026

Classic jazz--vinyl from Herbie Hancock, Sarah Vaughan and Billy Eckstine, and all-digital from Bobby Hutcherson and Gene Ammons. New music from Rules and Gregory Porter, Betty Bryant, Joe Magnarelli, Soulive, and others. Recognizing birthdays this week for Stan Getz, Joe Sample, Eubie Blake, Vinnie Colaiuta, and others. Playlist Horace Silver “The Outlaw" from Further Explorations By The Horace Silver Quintet (Blue Note) 00:00 Herbie Hancock “One Finger Snap" from Empyrean Isles (Blue Note) 10:27 Sarah Vaughan and Billy ...

Radio & Podcasts

Greg Osby on Minimalism and the Evolution of Modern Jazz

by Steven Roby
February 7, 2026

From St. Louis to the World Stage: Greg Osby shares how growing up surrounded by live music in St. Louis bars and his mother's record distribution job shaped his non-biased appreciation for all genres of music. The “Mad Clown Music" Revelation: A candid conversation with his sister led Osby to completely rethink his compositional approach, resulting in his 2023 album Minimalism. Playlist Greg Osby “Minimalism" from Minimalism (Inner Circle Music) 00:00 Greg Osby “Thank You for ...

Live Review

Greg Osby at SFJAZZ Center

by Harry S. Pariser
February 6, 2026

Greg Osby SFJAZZ Center San Francisco, CA February 1, 2026 Alto jazz saxophonist Greg Osby has an impressive résumé. A St. Louis, Missouri native, Osby finished his studies at Howard University and the Berklee College of Music before moving to New York City in 1982. Since then he has performed and recorded with a number of legendary musicians, including pianists Jaki Byard, Muhal Richard Abrams, Andrew Hill, and John Abercrombie. He was also a member ...

In Pictures

Joe Russo's Almost Dead debute at Channel 24 in Sacramento

by Ming Poon
November 4, 2025

Joe Russo's Almost Dead rolled into Channel 24 in Midtown Sacramento on October 23, 2025 and absolutely delivered. The venue is a newer addition to the city, opened this past April, and it already feels dialed. Easy access, no lines for entry, drinks or bathrooms, a smoking deck upstairs, and room to move even as the crowd filled in. It reminds me of a mini Bill Graham in the best way: intimate, energetic, and built for a good time.

Journey into Jazz

Teach A Man To Phish

by Leo Sidran
July 31, 2025

I won't bury the lede. Last week I saw Phish in concert at Forest Hills Stadium on two consecutive nights. It was a long time coming for me. Loyal listeners of my The Third Story podcast have noticed a quiet apprehension about the Phish phenomenon--or more broadly, the jam band scene--threaded through past conversations. Some friends of the podcast have even sent me playlists and videos to gently nudge me toward listening to Phish. Conversations with Billy Martin ...